Builder's quote

M

matthurley

Member
 Cardiff
Hi All
I had a quote off a builder (Builder A) for a job. I told him verbally (nothing in writing) that I would go with him
I then decided to get another quote which is much cheaper so I decided to go with Builder B
I informed Builder A of this, he has inevitably got upset and is now billing me £150 for his time in producing the quote
Can he legally do this or is he taking the piss?

Thanks
Matt
 
A quote is provided to you to allow you to make a decision on which builder you want to use and whether or not to go ahead with a project. It is not legally binding.

However, if you have instructed the builder and there is a written contract in place, that would be deemed legally binding.
 
If I got money for quotes, I would not need to work anymore as I have to do loads of those (some you win, some you lose, the investment in time and effort and driving / trains etc is the same).
 
Ok I work in planning and building, and I had a client who wants me to quote for moving a staircase, looking into planning history and costing up the work. To see the agent selling the house and do a quick survey. I did some sketches for her too.

I charged £100 and said I would take it off the invoice if she gave me the instruction, but I told her this before I started.
 
Thanks for the replies
As there was no written agreement and also that the builder didn't initially inform me he would bill me for the quote I will ignore his email

Matt
 
I just had five builders quote for a huge rebuild (£120k) job and they have all spent hours on the spec and estimates/ quotes and several site visits - I have now chosen the builder I will use and informed him verbally all of the other guys have been told by phone out of courtesy and not one of them has requested any form of payment ! As PVR has said with regard to estimates some you win some you lose - bet your glad you didn't choose him he sounds like he's on the make !
 
Tell him where to go. A quotation is not an obligation to contract him, nor is it entitling him to any funds unless agreed as such prior to the works being carried out.
 
I work in a business where we have to do a certain amount of work and calculations before we can even provide a quote. I would love to charge for that time, but it just isn't the business we are in. If the builder did not make you aware of the charges before, he can go and whistle now...!!

Builders do however do quite a bit on good faith. My builder who is 70% through a £70K job, started on site after I agreed verbally for him to start. This would have cost him a small fortune if I would have played the "writing" card and changed my mind.

Money over morals can sometimes be a problem.

H.
 
He'd have a case in the above instance if he'd done physical work through a combination of there still being a contract albeit verbal, and quantum meruit, or, getting paid for work that's been done ^
 
I am a builder
You don't charge for quotes
And even if you did £150 is a piss take
I do a full days graft for less than that
 
pvr said:
If I got money for quotes, I would not need to work anymore as I have to do loads of those (some you win, some you lose, the investment in time and effort and driving / trains etc is the same).
Click to expand...

This was me 20 years ago :thumbsup:
If builder a didn't give quotes he would never get work .
 
I can't always go to quote these days and you'll find some builders don't in London. And will quote subject to survey. I can pretty much quote for lofts and extensions in my area because I know the houses, and once you get an idea of level of finish and you leave bathrooms/kitchens to your clients to purchase. Job done
 
Firstly, tell him to get stuffed, he does not have a leg to stand on.

Secondly, ask yourself how big is he :lol:
 
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